There’s a character in the Bible named Eleazar, son of Dodo the Ahohite, who struck down the Philistines and taunted them at the Battle of Pas-dammim. This man was one of three mighty warriors under David’s command, and he was actively engaged in a huge battle wherein the Hebrews and the Philistines were fighting in a bloody standoff. Eleazar was cutting down soldiers left and right, to the point where the Hebrews were able to retreat, because he and his comrades were taking out so many enemy soldiers. At the end of it all, he stood with his sword, surrounded by a pile of enemy bodies, and was hailed a hero. However, the Bible says that because he had been fighting so vigorously for so long, Eleazar’s fingers froze to his sword. Have you ever experienced this? Have you ever held onto something so tightly for so long that you can’t let it go, even when you try?

I think many of us are like Eleazer at the level of our souls. Perhaps you went through a difficult fight in your life and you just had to push through. Now the Lord is saying to you that the fight is over; you can lay down your sword because the battle has been won. In other words, you can forgive. As you abandon your position of defense, you will open up your life to receive the many good and perfect gifts that come from your Heavenly Father’s hand. God’s abundant grace and mercy overflow to the one who is surrendered to the loving heart of Jesus. He has won the battle and the victory is yours, in His Name. Isn’t this awesome news?